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National Board Certification-Is It for You?
Learn what National Board Certification entails, and whether it is right for you.
What Is National Board Certification?
National Board Certification (NBC) is a voluntary professional development process by which accomplished teachers are recognized for meeting high and rigorous professional standards as developed and assessed by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).
National Board Certification (NBC) is a voluntary professional development process by which accomplished teachers are recognized for meeting high and rigorous professional standards as developed and assessed by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).
Emerging from the 1986 Carnegie Corporation's Report A Nation Prepared: Teachers for the 21st Century, the NBPTS was organized in 1987 and currently offers national certification in more than 20 certificate areas. National Board certification differs from state licensing in that it is not required to teach by any district, is uniform across the country while state licensing requirements vary, and the standards were developed through a process of teacher input that is different from that used in state licensing(1).
Who Seeks National Board Certification?
Viewed by some as the ultimate professional development activity, many teachers seek certification to demonstrate their mastery of the standards developed by the NBPTS under the leadership of its 63-member board of directors.
Viewed by some as the ultimate professional development activity, many teachers seek certification to demonstrate their mastery of the standards developed by the NBPTS under the leadership of its 63-member board of directors.
The awarding of National Board Certification recognizes a teacher's mastery of knowledge and skills, their accomplishments, and a commitment to the five core beliefs of the board:
- Teachers are committed to students and learning.
- Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students.
- Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning.
- Teachers think systemically about their practice and learn from experience.
- Teachers are members of learning communities.
With these beliefs central to the work of the board, committees are appointed to develop standards for areas of certification. All standards are publicly reviewed before being adopted.
The number of teachers earning National Board Certification has increased as teacher education institutions, school divisions, teacher unions and Nationally Board Certified teachers have spread knowledge about NBC across the United States. Of the approximately 3.5 million non-supervisory professional educational staff employed in the United States, approximately 55,500 held National Board Certification by 2007. Statistics show increasing numbers of professional educators are learning about and choosing to seek National Board Certification.
How Does a Teacher Seek National Board Certification?
Eligibility Requirements
Teachers wishing to seek National Board Certification must:
Teachers wishing to seek National Board Certification must:
1. Have earned a baccalaureate degree.
2. Have completed three years of teaching.
3. Hold a valid teaching license or its equivalent for school systems not requiring licensure to teach in early childhood, elementary, middle, or secondary levels.
Fees and Certification Areas
If these eligibility requirements are met, a prospective candidate must submit an application and a portion of the assessment fee. While the process is costly, both in terms of time and money, many states and local districts offer financial support to help defray the costs. Additional incentives can include pay raises of up to 10 percent in some states. Contact your state department of education to research monies available to teachers seeking National Board Certification.
If these eligibility requirements are met, a prospective candidate must submit an application and a portion of the assessment fee. While the process is costly, both in terms of time and money, many states and local districts offer financial support to help defray the costs. Additional incentives can include pay raises of up to 10 percent in some states. Contact your state department of education to research monies available to teachers seeking National Board Certification.
As part of the application process, teachers must carefully select a certificate area from those currently available. Visiting the official Board Web site will provide interested teachers with detailed information about the standards and requirements in all certificate areas.
Board Assessment
The first part of the assessment involves four to six portfolio exercises. These exercises require samples of student work, video documentation, and written analyses by the candidate of these artifacts. An additional requirement involves evidence of the teacher's work with colleagues, the community, and students' families. The portfolio takes approximately five months to compile.
The first part of the assessment involves four to six portfolio exercises. These exercises require samples of student work, video documentation, and written analyses by the candidate of these artifacts. An additional requirement involves evidence of the teacher's work with colleagues, the community, and students' families. The portfolio takes approximately five months to compile.
The second portion of the assessment requires a candidate to report during the summer to an assessment center to complete four 90 minute written assessments. The Assessment Center Exercises require candidates to demonstrate their pedagogical content and knowledge.
Who Assesses the Portfolio and Assessment Center Exercises?
Portfolio and assessment center exercises are scored by teachers who have undergone intensive training by the NBPTS and have demonstrated their understanding of the standards, the directions to candidates, and the scoring guides. Included with the detailed instructions about the two-fold assessment components to candidates are explanations, or rubrics, about how the portfolio and assessment center exercises will be scored.
Portfolio and assessment center exercises are scored by teachers who have undergone intensive training by the NBPTS and have demonstrated their understanding of the standards, the directions to candidates, and the scoring guides. Included with the detailed instructions about the two-fold assessment components to candidates are explanations, or rubrics, about how the portfolio and assessment center exercises will be scored.
Should I Pursue National Board Certification?
Professional educators across the country are asking themselves this question. Undoubtedly, NBC provides teachers with definitive standards of what is considered "the best" in teaching practices in respective fields, and provides a means for teachers to demonstrate what so many professional educators do day in and day out.
Professional educators across the country are asking themselves this question. Undoubtedly, NBC provides teachers with definitive standards of what is considered "the best" in teaching practices in respective fields, and provides a means for teachers to demonstrate what so many professional educators do day in and day out.
The process requires self-reflection, crucial to improving one's craft. Ultimately, any interested teacher should investigate the process thoroughly. The ERIC Clearinghouse for Research, located at www.ericae.net, will provide additional information, reviews, and opinions of the merits of National Board Certification.
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards maintains its Web site at www.nbpts.org and can be reached at 1-800-22-TEACH. The NBPTS can also be contacted through the following information:
Arlington, Virginia
1525 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 465-2700
Southfield, Michigan
26555 Evergreen Road
Suite 400
Southfield, MI 48076
(248) 351-4444
1525 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 465-2700
Southfield, Michigan
26555 Evergreen Road
Suite 400
Southfield, MI 48076
(248) 351-4444
Sources
(1) Baratz-Snowden, J. Research news and comments: The NBPTS begins its research development program. Educational Researcher, 19(6), 19-24. EJ 417593
(1) Baratz-Snowden, J. Research news and comments: The NBPTS begins its research development program. Educational Researcher, 19(6), 19-24. EJ 417593
Read more about it…
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
This is the official site of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Visit this site to investigate all aspects of NBC, including a list of NBCT's by state, an in-depth statement concerning the history and development of the board, explanations of the standards in each area of certification, instructions concerning the application process, and contact information for the National Board.
This is the official site of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Visit this site to investigate all aspects of NBC, including a list of NBCT's by state, an in-depth statement concerning the history and development of the board, explanations of the standards in each area of certification, instructions concerning the application process, and contact information for the National Board.
National Education Association Official FAQ Page
This page answers frequently asked questions about National Board Certification, in addition to offering NEA position statements concerning the mission of the National Board.
This page answers frequently asked questions about National Board Certification, in addition to offering NEA position statements concerning the mission of the National Board.
State Education Agencies
Visit this site to investigate the financial aid and incentives offered by your state to earn National Board Certification.
Visit this site to investigate the financial aid and incentives offered by your state to earn National Board Certification.
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